AWTT portraits visit Waterville Junior High School
Eight AWTT portraits will be on display from May 5 to May 30, 2025 at Waterville Junior High School in Waterville, Maine. This is the third Maine school to participate in AWTT’s “school partnership” program – where community businesses, organizations and others step up to provide their schools with this cultural experience. Kids are delighted to have real art on display in their schools and community members can take pride in enriching their children’s education.
The interesting variety of portraits – chosen by the students the WJHS students and their teachers – include war hero and peace activist Smedley Butler, civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Congressman John Lewis, shrimper and environmental advocate Diane Wilson, doctor and peace advocate Alice Rothchild, and whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Reflecting on the month-long exhibit at the school, science teacher Autumn Pepin commented:
“Our students had been exploring portraits for inspiration, heroes, and historical context through websites and books for a while. But nothing compares to being in the presence of one. Standing before a portrait creates a powerful connection—the painting feels like it’s right there with you in the room. That kind of presence brings both the person and their work to life in a way that no digital image or book ever could.
“The students’ engagement during this experience was noticeably elevated. Their curiosity grew, their questions became more thoughtful, and their reflections more personal. Being face-to-face with the artwork transformed their learning from passive observation to active connection.”
